Field Trip To The Tree Top Cottage In Tai Po.

We joined our homeschooling group out in Tai Po at the Tree Top Cottage for a full day of tight rope walking, rafting, and zip lining. We packed lunches and plenty of water, since the weather in Hong Kong had turned sweltering and hot. However, we did not remember to pack mosquito patches and just mosquito repellent lotion and spray was not strong enough to deter the little black gnats that attack legs here in Hong Kong. We came away from our fun day looking like our legs were inflicted with a disease. 

Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre Field Trip.

If we were not homeschooling this year, I highly doubt that we would have made it out to this environmental centre, but since it was an organized field trip with the homeschooling group, we joined along and enjoyed learning about the different birds, insects, and butterflies that are found in this area. After an educational lecture put on by some of the workers of the centre, the kids were divided up into groups and all had a scavenger hunt to see if they could find the different animals that they just learned about. 

At Kowloon Park With The Kids.

All the ups and downs that naturally come with homeschooling, sometimes I really do love spending my time with my children. It helps us when we get out of our tiny 400 square foot apartment. Sometimes the walls close in on us, but a trip to the park helps brighten our moods. 

Sharp Island.

Sharp Island was the final stop on our tour. We reached the island and looked at the different volcanic rocks that are found in the area. One of the rocks that are a point of interest are the "pineapple bun" rock. The crusty rock surface is similar to the pineapple bun surface that is sold in bakeries here in Hong Kong. My daughter, being the fearless girl that she is, found a dead fish washed up on the beach while she was collecting shells to send to her Nana back in South Carolina. After snapping this picture, she threw it back into the water hoping it would miraculously come back to life and swim away! 

Touring Caves On A Traditional Sampan.

After a full day of hiking around on foot, it was a wonderful change to be able to relax on the wooden sampan and get ferried around to the different points of interest. Once again the views were breathtaking and it was fascinating to see the rock formations. I kept thinking about my mom who lives in Canada, wishing she had been along for the experience. She loves rocks and it's a running joke in our family about how excited she becomes when she sees them. 

Hiking The Global Geopark.

From the East Dam we then walked along the road and down some paths to the secluded village of Pak Lap where we took a forty-five minute water break before heading over to Sha Kiu, which was another thirty minute hike. In Sha Kiu, we ate a seafood lunch around a communal table, and then boarded a traditional wooden sampan.

The Most Beautiful View I've Seen So Far {Mok Min Cave}.

Our day remained foggy, which was both a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing because the sun didn't beat down on us, but it was a curse because we couldn't take in as much of the scenery as we would have like to. We hiked up this mountain and then back down a steep incline, literally scaling the sides of the cliff. Our efforts paid off when we were greeted by a beautiful sea arch that we could walk through. There is something for me about being in nature that I feel so much closer to God. To see how He has created this earth and to see the majesty of it all, amazes me and makes me realize that what I experience on a day to day basis is nothing compared to how powerful He is and how powerful He is.

I was proud of my two children for being so game about hiking such a difficult trail. We made sure to pack plenty of water and some snacks to keep their energy levels up. From the description of the hike, I had not realized it was going to be so strenuous. Several of our other traveling companions were also under the assumption that we would walk around the entrance of the geopark and then a boat would ferry us the rest of the way. I was definitely not wearing the correct shoes for the experience and I am currently suffering the damages done to my already troublesome right ankle.

Hong Kong Global Geopark of China.

I could definitely spend this whole week writing about our hiking experience of Hong Kong's Global Geopark, and so I will do just that. We had been wanting to make a trip out to this park for some time, but we were not sure how easy it would be to get back out of the park once we were finished exploring the area. We have had a previous experience where we were stuck hiking in the Sai Kung East Country Park. Fortunately we were there with our friends who live in Sai Kung and knew how to get us out, but we didn't want to repeat the experience on our own. I got excited when I saw an advertisement on an expat sight for a walking tour of the geopark, so on a holiday Monday, we caught up with the other members of our group and started exploring.

We took a taxi from the University station to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir where we learned about the famous hexagonal rock columns. 

Claude Monet Field Trip.

Our homeschooling group organized a guided walking tour of the Claude Monet exhibit in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Shatin. The group leader sent out a few links before we all went on the tour informing the kids of the life on Monet and his techniques. It was great for the kids to familiarize themselves with what we were going to be seeing the next day.

Our tour guide did a fantastic job of educating the kids and answering all of their questions. The museum did such a wonderful job of putting together a beautiful exhibit. Not only were 17 of Monet's painting available for public viewing, but there was also an interactive area that was perfect for the kids who were on the field trip.

Field Trip To A Rock Climbing Wall.

One of the homeschooling groups we are part plans different field trips or activities at least once a week. As a homeschooling mother, I pick and choose which activities we participate in, since it's easy to get overwhelmed with so much going on and I prefer routine to so many field trips. We did choose to take part in the field trip to a rock climbing wall at the YMCA in Tsim Sha Tsui. 

My two different kids had different reactions to the experience. My son tried it one time and decided he preferred to sit on the sidelines and play Uno with his best buddy. My daughter on the other hand, loved the experience and kept going back for more. She loved making it to the top of the wall and the coming down again. 

Breakfast With Jamie Oliver.

One of my many favorite things about homeschooling is the flexibility in our schedule. If I want to have breakfast at Jamie Oliver's restaurant and eat some steak and eggs, I can easily find myself in Harbour City sitting at one of his tables with a cocktail in hand. I've learned this year that homeschooling looks different for every person who does it. For our family, it works easier when we take a more relaxed approach to it. Being relaxed helps me as the parent and the teacher, which translates down to my two kids.  

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream.

We walk past the Lab Made ice cream stand quite often when we are in Tsim Sha Tsui. I had the kids with me one hot afternoon, and I figured a sweet treat would be refreshing. It was fun for the kids to watch the ice cream being made with liquid nitrogen. A good science experiment for them and I didn't have to get the house messy!!! 

Field Trip To The Hong Kong Observatory.

I may have mentioned that we have been part of two different homeschooling groups here in Hong Kong this year. They have really provided us with a wide range of activities which keep us busy and allows for my kids to interact with other kids who are also homeschooling. 

We went on a guided tour of the Hong Kong Observatory one afternoon. It was interesting to see how weather keeps track of their weather conditions especially since we use their website to check the weather conditions on a weekly basis! 

Field Trip To The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence {Written By My Son}.

This is my Mama's son writing this blog post. I was going to a real war place where there was once a real war. I was going to see my best buddies and there were other people on the field trip too. When I got there, I saw them. When everybody was there we went to the place where they put gun powder into the cannons. Then we went to the place where they shot their guns. Next we looked at the tanks and the disappearing guns on land and water. After that we went to the cafeteria and that's were I met another kid. He was a mine craft fan.  The boy and I had a talked about the game mine craft. Then he went home and my friends and I played before we looked at some more canons and tanks.  Then my family went to my best buddy's house, but that is another story.